The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
