The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of 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 second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
