India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
