The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the decider of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
