India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
