The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
