The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
