The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series 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 a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
