India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
