The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory 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 past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
