The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
