India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism 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 retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
