India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents 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 failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
