India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press