The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
