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, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home 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 prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, 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.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
