The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
