The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
