The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
