India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
