The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
