India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss 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 a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
