India's shocking 0-2 defeat 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 defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press