The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
