India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
