India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals 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 struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
