India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
