India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India seem beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
