The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
