The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks 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 taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
