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, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
