The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
