The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
