The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
