The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
