India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
