India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
