The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks 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 mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
