India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
