The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
