The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph 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 momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, 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 - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
