India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
