India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
