The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
