India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
