The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
