India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks 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 seen as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
