India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
