India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
