India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. 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 decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
