India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
