India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
