India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
