India's surprising 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 gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of making the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
