The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks 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 removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
