The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
