The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the decider of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
