The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
