India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
