The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
