India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
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 in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
