The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
