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, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India seem beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
