India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
