India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
