India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
