The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
