India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
