India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
