India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
