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 gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
