India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
