The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
