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.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
