The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
