The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory 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 established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, 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 skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
