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.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable 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. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
