India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
