India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of making the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
