The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper 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 squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was 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 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
