The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
