The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - 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 disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press