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.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
