India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
