India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
