India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
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 dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
