The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
