The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the final of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
