The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press