India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
