The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
