India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
