The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
