The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
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 criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
