The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
