India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
