India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss 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 careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
