India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
