The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
