The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India appear to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
