India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on 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 display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
