The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
