India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
