India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
