The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
