The Indian cricket team's unexpected 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, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in the two games 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 Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
