The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
