The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
