The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
