The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
