India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
