India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
