India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
