India's unexpected 0-2 series loss 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 defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
