The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series 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 a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
