India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
