India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
