India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
