The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
