The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling 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, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
