The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 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 crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
