India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
