The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
