India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India 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 brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
