The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
