India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded 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. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed 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 several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
