The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
