India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
