India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
