The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century 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 last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
