The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball 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 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 momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India look to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
