India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
