India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent 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 gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
