The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
