The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
