India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
