India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press