India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
