The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
