The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
