India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
