The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
