The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
