India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
