The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball 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 the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
