India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
