The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
