India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
