The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the final of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
