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, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
