The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
