The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball 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 the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
