The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
