India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
