India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
