The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
