The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However 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 significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
