India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
