India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
