India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
