The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
