India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
