The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 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, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
