The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
