The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
