The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
