India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
