The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
