India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
