The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
