India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
