India's shocking 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 gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
