The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai 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 nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
