The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start 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 skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
