India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
