The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
