India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though 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 powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
