The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
