India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
