The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
