India's surprising 0-2 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 their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
