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, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
