India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
