India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
