The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad 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 not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
