The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
