India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
