The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
