India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
