The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
