The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
