India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
