India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century 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 past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
