India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
