The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
