India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
