India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
