The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
