The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
