India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
