The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
