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.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
