The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
