The Indian cricket team's surprising 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, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
