India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
