The Indian cricket team's surprising 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 handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
