India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
