The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
