India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against 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 vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
