The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
