The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv 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 - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
