India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph 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 momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and 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, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
