India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However 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 significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
