The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
