The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented 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 invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
