The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, 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 nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
