India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India seem vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
