The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
