India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
