The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
