India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India 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 winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
