India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like 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 nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
