India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
