India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
