The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
