The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
