India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
