India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
