The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
