The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
