The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
