The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
