The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
