India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
