The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
