The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
