The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
