India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
