India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
