India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
