The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: 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 clear in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
