India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
