The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball 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 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
