India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished 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 was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
