India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India 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 positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
