India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
