India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
