India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was 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 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India seem vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
