The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record 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 second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
