India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of making the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
