The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
