The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
