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, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
