India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable 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 curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
