India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
