India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
