India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly 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 South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
