The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
