India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of making the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
