The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
