India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
