The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
