India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
