India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
