India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
