India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century 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 futures of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball 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 aberration.
Now, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
