The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
