India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was 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 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
