India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
