The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
