India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
