India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
