The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
