India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
