India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
