The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
