The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
