India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team 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 pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
