India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
