India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
