India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, 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, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
