India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
