India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
