The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
