The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
