India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
