The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
