The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
