India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
