The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
