India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
