The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
