India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball 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 the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India seem beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout 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 post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
