The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
