India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
