India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
