India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
