The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
