The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
