The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
