India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' 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 invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced 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 berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
