The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
