The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
