The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
