India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
