The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
