India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
