The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
