India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph 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 momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - 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 win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
