India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
