The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
