India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
