India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
