India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
