The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
