India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
