India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
