The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
