India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
