The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
