India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar 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 nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
