India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
