India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, India look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
