The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
