The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
