India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
