India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
