The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
