The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
