The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
