India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
