India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
