The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. 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 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
