India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
