The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
