The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
