India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
