India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory 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 positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
