India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
