India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
