India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
