India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
