India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press