The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
