The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
