The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
