The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
