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 gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
