India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
