The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
