India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
