India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
