India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
