The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
