The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
