India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
