India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable 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, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
