The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, 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 one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
