India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
