The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
