India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf 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.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
