The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
