The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss 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 loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
