The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
