The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
