India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
