India's unexpected 0-2 defeat 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 defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
