India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
