India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even 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 red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
