India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
