India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
