The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
