India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
