India's unexpected 0-2 series 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 Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
