India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
