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, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India 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 positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
