India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered 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, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
