India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
