India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
