The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
