India's surprising 0-2 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 defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
