India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented 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 decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
