India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
