The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
