The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
