The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
