The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
