The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
