The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India seem vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
