The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
