India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
