India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
