India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
