The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
