The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
