The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
