India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
