The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
