India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
