India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
