India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
