The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
