India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
