The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
