The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
