India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
