India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
