India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches 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. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India seem beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
