The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest 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 home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
