India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
