India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
