India's shocking 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 gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
