The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
