India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
