India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
