The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
