The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
