The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
