India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
