The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's 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 previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
