The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
