The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen 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, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
