India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
