The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball 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. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
