The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
