India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
