The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
