India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
