The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
