The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
