India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
