The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
