India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
