The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
