The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
