India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
