India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
