The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
