India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
