The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
