India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
