India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
