India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
