The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
