The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
