The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
