India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
