The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
