The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
