India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
