India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
