India's surprising 0-2 defeat 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. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
