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, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
