The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
