India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
