The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
