The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
