India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
