The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
