The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
