India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
