India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
