The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
