The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for 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 extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
