India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
