India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
