The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the decider of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
