The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press