The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
