The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
