India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press