The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
