India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
