India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
