India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
