India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
