India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
