The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
