India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
