India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
