The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
