The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
