The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
