India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
