India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
