India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
