India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
