India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
