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, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
