India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for 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 India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
