India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations 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.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press