The Indian cricket team's surprising 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 gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India seem beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished 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 skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
