The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test 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, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
