The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be 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 the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
