India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
