India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
