The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a 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 a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
