The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
