The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team 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 second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
