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, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
