India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
