The Indian cricket team's surprising 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 their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
