India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
