India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis 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 the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
