India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
