The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
