India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
