India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
