India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
