India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test 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, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
