India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
