The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
